Roofing and siding sheets



w. COOKSON ROOFING AND SIDING SHEETS Feb. 17, 1959 Filed Nov. so, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 17, 1959 w. COOKSON ROOFING AND SIDING SHEETS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 30 1953 MZZMWW 6 ,3 7

w. cooKsoN ROOFING AND sIDINc; SHEETS Feb. 17, 1959 Filed Nov. 30 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Feb. 1 7, 1959 w. COOKSON 2,873,699

ROOFING AND SIDING SHEETS Filed Nov. so, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 United States Patent 2,873,699 ROOFING AND SIDING SHEETS William 'Cookson, Fareham, England, assignor of onethird to Julius Cato Vredenburg-Inglesby, London, England Application November 30, 1953, Serial No. 395,215

Claims priority, application Great Britain December 16, 1952 3 Claims. (Cl. 108-2 2) This invention relates to roofing and siding sheets, and certain improvements therein.

It has for an object to provide weathertight sheet metal or light gauge material roofing and siding sheets which can be easily and rapidly erected by fixing means that eliminate the necessity for nailing or bolting through the assembled sheets.

A further object is to provide means for opening snap joints between roofing sheets to obtain access to the internal fixing means for the purpose of removing damaged sheets.

Another object is to provide sheets made from metal 'or light gauge material which can be nested together in an eflicient and economical manner for transport.

In accordance with the invention, I provide a roofing sheet of sheet metal or light gauge material, on one edge of which is formed a substantially U-shaped male looking member and on the opposite edge a substantially U- shaped female locking member, the said sheet having medially a similarly shaped male locking member arrangement, said female member of one sheet being adapted to engage and snap over the male member of a second sheet to form a tight interlocking joint between the sheets. Purlin fixing bracket means may be provided to clip in and securely engage the medial locking member arrangement of the sheet.

I may provide purlin fixing means to also secure the male looking member of the sheet.

I also provide a roofing sheet of metal or light gauge material on an edge of which is formed a substantially U-shaped male locking member and on the opposite edge a substantially U-shaped female locking member, said female member of one sheet being adapted to engage and snap over the male member of a second sheet to 01m a tight interlocking joint between the sheets, and in accordance with the invention I also provide an opening device comprising a slider tool having a part adapted to penetrate between and progressively separate the members as the tool is slid along said members.

I further provide two or more roofing sheets of metal or light gauge material provided with U-shaped male locking members on their longitudinal edges and a female locking member to snap over and engage the male members of adjacent sheets, said male members have external locking ledges with internal grooves to provide engaging means both for the female member and for purlin fixing brackets.

The invention is illustrated, by way of example merely, in the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 illustrates in fragmentary perspective view the underside of assembled roofing sheets,

Fig. 2 illustrates a cross'section view of a sheet fitted with a purlin bracket,

Fig. 3 illustrates a cross-section view of an assembled male and female member, and v Fig. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a purlin bracket.

Fig. 1A illustrates a modification in fragmentary per- 2,873,699 Patented Feb. 17, 1959 spective view interlocked roofing sheet members being opened by a slider tool.

Fig. 2A illustrates a cross-section view of the members shown in Fig. 1A being opened by the slider tool, and

Fig. 3A illustrates a perspective view of the preferred form of slider tool, shown in Fig. 1A.

Fig. 1B illustrates a further modification in fragmentary perspective view the underside of assembled roofing sheets showing the preferred form of fixing bracket means,

Fig. 2B ilustrates a broken cross-section view of the sheet shown in Fig. 1B,

Fig. 2C illustrates in end view the sheet shown in Figs. 1B and 2B,

Fig. 3B illustrates in perspective view two parts of a purlin bracket illustrated in Figs. 1B, 2B, 2C assembled together.

Figs. 4B and 4C illustrate in perspective view the two separate parts of the bracket shown in Fig. 3B,

Fig. 5 illustrates in perspective view another form of purlin bracket.

Referring to the drawings, in Fig. 1, the roofing sheet 5, made of sheet metal, plastics, or suitable material, is shown with its female rib or member 6 snapped into engagement over the male rib or member 7 of a similar sheet 5 The medial portion of sheet 5' is held by bracket 8 to purlin 9. e

In Fig. 2, roofing sheet 5 has a male member 7 and a female member 6, both of substantially U-shaped form. Two similar U-shaped ribs or members 10 and 11 are formed in the centre medial portion of the sheet, as

shown.

Male member 7 has two divergent walls 12 and 13, joined by a broad curved apex 14; wall 12 terminates in a nailing flange 15. In the lower portion of wall 13 is formed a locking ledge 16, the wall portion above said locking ledge being directed to form a ramp 16 extending downwardly and outwardly in relation to the rib. Ledge 16 provides an external head in the male member over which the hooked lip 20 of the female member is engaged. Similar external locking ledges 16 and 16 formed in the lower portions of members 11 and 10 provide internal grooves for purlin brackets 8 which are slidably moved in said grooves to the appropriate purlin positions.

Locking ledges 16, 16 and 16 also provide rigid abutments to enable the sheets to be nested together for transport without damaging the members, in the minimum of space.

Female member 6 has two divergent walls 17 and 18 joined by a broad curved apex 19. The free end of wall 18 has the hooked lip 20, shaped to fit over lip 16 of male member 7.

In Fig. 3, flange 15 of a sheet 5 is shown nailed at 21 to purlin 9. Female member 6 of sheet 5 is shown snapped over male member 7, so forming a tightjoint, and effectively covering nails in the nailing flange of sheet 5 In Fig. 4, purlin bracket 8 is made of sheet metal, and has two end bends 22 and 22 which are shaped to slidably engage in the internal grooves of locking ledges 16 and 16 of the medial members, as shown in Fig. 2. The bracket is also provided with .a nailing flange 23.

When applying the sheets to a roof, purlin brackets 8 are fitted to the underside of the first sheet 5 and slid into position against the purlins. Nailing flange 15 of the sheet, and the brackets, are then nailed to the purlins. Purlin brackets are fitted to the next sheet 5, and then its female member 6 is snapped on to male member 7 of sheet 5 The same nailing procedure is carried out as for the first sheet. 3

The assembled sheets are complete weathertighhas all nail and bolt heads are covered by the female members of the sheet.

The sheets easily nest together for transport, as the members being practically identical in shape fit over each other very effectively, the locking ledges on said members taking up the minimum of space.

In Fig. 1A is shown one edge of a roofing sheet 4a made of sheet metal, plastics, or suitable material, on which is provided a male member a, the opposite edge of a similar roofing sheet 4 a is provided with a female rib or member 6a, both members being of substantially U-shaped form.

On the free edge of female member 6a is provided a hooked lip 7a, dimensioned to fit overand engage a hooked locking ledge 8a in the lower portion of male rib or member 5a when the female member is snapped over the male member. The male member is secured to each purlin by a countersunk-headed nail 9a, as shown in Fig. 2A. The nails are thus elfectively covered, and protected from the weather, by the female member.

In Figs. 2A and 3A is shown a slider tool Ida, made preferably as a metal casting. It comprises a tongue 11:: shaped to fit between the interlocked members 5a and 6a, and a handle 12a. Tongue 11a is tapered at 13a to allow easy penetration between the members.

To open the interlocked members of a roofing sheet for the purpose of obtaining access to the underside of the roof for the removal of purlin fixings when replacing damaged sheets, end 13a of slider tool is inserted between the members and then slid along the joint. In the process lip 7a of female member 6a is progressively lifted clear of the locking ledge 8a of male member 50, so allowing the female member to spring up off the male member.

Because of the particular specified shapes of the members in the example described, there is sufiicient spring in the female member to enable it to be repeatedly snapped on to the male member and released by the slider tool without deterioration in its efficiency.

Referring to Fig. 1B, the roofing sheet 6b, made of sheet metal, plastics, or suitable material, is shown with its female rib or member 8b snapped into engagement over the male rib or member 7b of a similar sheet 6 11. The sheet is fixed to purlin 9b by a purlin bracket 10b.

In Figs. 2B and 2C, the roofing sheet 6b has a male rib or member 7b and a female rib or member 8b, both of substantially U-shaped form. Two similar U-shaped members 1112 and 12b are formed in the medial portion of the sheet, as shown.

Male member 712 has two divergent walls 13b and 14b joined by a broad curved apex 15b. Wall 13b terminates in a flange 16b. In the lower portion of wall 13b is provided a hooked locking ledge or abutment 17b formed to the specified shape as shown. Similar locking ledges 17% and 16% are formed in the lower portion of members 11b and 12b, as shown.

Female member 8b :has two divergent walls 18b and 19b joined by a broad curved apex 20b, the free end of wall 19b has a hooked lip 21b shaped to fit over the locking ledge 17b of'male member 7b.

In Figs. 3B and 4B, the purlin fixing bracket 1%, made of sheet metal, plastics, or suitable material, comprises a channel section 22b into which is slidably fitted a similar channel section 23b, both being held together by a screw and nut 24b.

In Fig. 4C, channel 22b is provided with an end ilap 25b, which has a lip 26b. Channel 22b is also provided with a stepped lip 27b, as shown. Hole 28b in the base of channel 22b is provided to take a purlin hook bolt.

Channel 23b, in Fig. 4B, is made to slidably engage in channel 2211. Channel 23b is provided with a tab 391) on one end, and a reverse lip 31b, on the opposite end. Holes 28b and 29b are provided for hook bolts. Holes 32b in both channel-sections are provided for screw and nut 24b.

Bracket 10b is loosely assembled and then clipped on to the underside of roofing sheet 6b, as in Figs. 1b and 2b. Lips 26b, 27b and 31b, are hooked into the internal grooves provided by locking ledges 1712, 17 b, and 17%, respectively, at the appropriate purlin position. Screwing up nut and bolt 24b securely fixes the whole assembly together.

Purlin hook bolts 33b are fitted in the bracket to secure the bracket assembly to the purlin, as shown in Fig. 2B.

In Fig. 5 is shown another form of purlin bracket 34, which can be used either for holding down the centre of the sheets, or to provide concealed means for fitting interior linings under the roofing. Bracket 34 comprises a sheet metal channel section 35, having at one end an internally bent tab 36, and a flap 37 with a lip 38. A lip 39 is provided at the opposite end of the bracket, as shown. The bracket is clipped on to the centre lock-- ing arrangement of a sheet, and with a screw and nut in cooperation with the hole 40 tightened up to secure the assembly on to the sheet.

In the foregoing manner roofing sheets can be erected on a roof without penetrating any part of the sheets for nails or bolts. Because of the absence of any holes in the sheets, the possibility of corrosion, particularly when using galvanised coated sheet metal, is avoided, as such corrosion starts at the hole positions. Maintenance of the completed roof is thus reduced to a minimum.

Application of the sheets to the roof purlins is simpleand easy because the purlin bolts can be fitted from the open side of the sheeting, thus avoiding the need for staging under the roof.

This modified form of sheet may be used for demountable panels for building purposes, the purlin fixing brackets being used to attach the panels to a frame structure having an interior plasterboard or lining of a similar material.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A roofing sheet of relatively stiff sheet material formed at one edge portion with a male rib of inverted U section upstanding from the plane of the sheet and the two opposite walls, of the rib being upwardly convergent from the plane of the sheet, an external locking ledge provided in the wall of the rib remote from the free edge of the sheet, the wall portion above said locking ledge being directed to form a ramp extending downwardly and outwardly in relation to the rib, a female rib of inverted U section upstanding from the plane of the sheet formed at the opposite edge portion of the sheet, the two opposite walls of the rib being upwardly convergent from the plane of the sheet and a hooked lip provided at the free edge of said opposite edge portion, the female rib being adapted to be pressed downwardly onto the male rib of another like sheet to cause the lip of the female rib of the one sheet to ride over the ramp and en-' gage under the locking ledge of the male rib of the other sheet to nest the ribs.

2. A roofing sheet and purlin bracket assembly, comprising a roofing sheet of relatively stiff sheet material and formed at one edge portion with a male rib of inverted U section upstanding from the plane of the sheet and the two opposite walls of the rib being upwardly convergent, an external locking ledge formed in the wall of the rib remote from the free edge of the sheet and providing an internal groove, the Wall portion above said locking ledge being directed to form a ramp extending downwardly and outwardly in relation to the rib, a female rib of inverted U section upstanding from the plane of the sheet formed at the opposite edge portion thereof, the two opposite walls of the rib being upwardly convergent, a hooked lip provided at the free edge of said opposite edge portion, at least one medially extending rib upstanding from the plane of the sheet between the female rib and the male rib and parallel thereto, said medially extending rib being of inverted U section and the two opposed walls thereof being upwardly convergent, an external locking ledge formed in one of the walls of the medially extending rib and providing an internal groove, a purlin bracket extending underneath the sheet at a medially extending rib, bent-up ends on the purlin bracket for slidably engaging in internal grooves provided by the said locking ledges, the female rib being pressable downwardly onto the male rib of another sheet for the ribs to nest, the hooked lip of the female n'b of the one sheet riding over the ramp and engaging under the locking ledge of the male rib of the other sheet.

3. An assembly according to claim 2 wherein the purlin bracket extends from a medially extending rib to the male rib and the bent-up ends of the purlin bracket slidably engage the internal grooves provided in the locking ledges of said medially extending rib and said male rib.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,111,674 Pruitt Sept. 22, 1914 1,329,794 Moomaw Feb. 3, 1920 1,410,597 Reed Mar. 28, 1922 2,259,382 Ingels Oct. 14, 1941 2,571,273 McCullough Oct. 16, 1951 2,736,088 Thygeson Feb. 28, 1956 2,765,887 Horowitz Oct. 9, 1956 

